Why did you come to Detroit?

**KOMPOST** · December-20-14, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by G-DDT

"Cosmic Cafe"? That's a name I barely recall. Please, refresh me where was that located?

The Cosmic was on Palmer where Byblos currently sits. Many fond memories.

**6nois** · January-21-10, 01:21 PM

I came to Detroit to attend University which I am still doing. I live on campus at U of D, then lived in Midtown, and find myself these days across Woodward from Palmer Park. I was nervous about the city as a place to live but my time here has put me at ease, both the good and the bad, which there has been alot of both, but I find it hard to think of living anywhere else.

For those who lived in Palmer Park I would love to hear more about the area, from the big old gay days. As a modern queer living in that area I understand the draw and wish others could too. The abandonment is there and really the area looked to be at a turning point a few years ago, although the economy has sort of put it in a strange area of limbo, but I have met some amazing neighbors and love the area. If you are ever in town I would love to meet up and talk past present and future of the area.

**JStone** · January-21-10, 02:17 PM

I came to Detroit in 2001 from the far North Eastside after my employer transferred my job assignment to Taylor to be closer to work. I originally worked out of the Gibraltar Trade Center North selling Elephant Ears, but after some promotions, my boss needed me to increase sales in Taylor so I transferred. I have been there ever since.

Originally purchased a renovated apartment condo in Woodbridge because of the impeccable reputation of the builder's character and the quality of his craftsmanship, along with the limitless growth value of the property combined with the guaranteed tax abatements. [[no brainer) All that, and of course the ease and maintenance free living that condo life allows.

Bought a house in Corktown in 2005 because I was told I could make $10k renting it out for the Super Bowl. Purchased the vacant lot next door a few years later because I didn't want to get priced out after Tiger Stadium came down and the subsequent rush of lot owner's selling off all of their vacant land to developers who would start building brand new large, infill homes.

I stay mainly because crime is virtually nonexistent, cheap insurance, the Dequindre Cut, and the Cooley Family's Slows BBQ.

Bearinabox · January-21-10, 02:24 PM

JStone, every single one of your posts confuses the hell out of me. I'm so confused I can't even decide if this is a good or a bad thing. I just thought you should know.

**Hoagie** · January-21-10, 07:36 PM

Long time reader, first time poster. I grew up in the Swartz Creek area, just west of Flint. Lived around that area for over 40 years, until I met my present wife on a "personals" web site. She lived her, so I moved here. My work is still based in the Grand Blanc area, but because of her, I don't regret the move. I always enjoyed visiitng Detroit previous to living here, but never imagined living here.

**GPCharles** · January-22-10, 09:55 AM

It's my mother's fault - I was born at St. John's Hospital.

**epiphany** · January-22-10, 10:14 AM

I moved here a few years ago from Knoxville, TN. Before that I lived in CA, Pittsburgh, Alabama, and grew up in a small town in Mississippi. I have stayed so far because I like it better than other cities that I have lived in and been to. Other big cities are too expensive for me, but Detroit offers a lot of the same benefits at a relatively cheaper price. I also like the people here, they are generally very friendly. I first lived downtown, then moved back to Knoxville for a while because something really bad happened. I really hated Knoxville and came right back to Detroit and haven't left since then. I moved to SW Detroit, Cass Corridor, Morningside, and now live in Warrendale. This is the longest that I have lived in on place in years, it must not be that bad.

Also, I'd like to add that the first time that I moved here was a completely random event like most of my moves have been. One day I applied for a job at a hotel downtown and within three months I was living here... never had been here before then.

**JStone** · January-22-10, 04:20 PM

Bearinabox - Really?

Bearinabox · January-22-10, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by JStone

Bearinabox - Really?

Well, this one didn't, so I guess not.

Retroit · January-22-10, 05:17 PM

I'm confused about the "virtually non-existent crime". Are we still talking about Detroit?

**sumas** · January-23-10, 03:23 AM

To GPcharles: My Dad always said the best babies came from St John Hospital. My two older sisters were born at Deaconess [[now long gone), I and my younger brother were born at St John's, as were my two sons. It's definative, good hospital...great kids!

**jcole** · January-22-10, 10:09 AM

To have a coney and go to the Casino

**Lowell** · January-26-10, 12:38 AM

PCM, my sister was an elementary school teacher in Concord for 25 years. I found it a beautiful place with its millpond and classic 19th Century downtown. It is nice that the Google street view car passed through. I see the Silver Spoon is still there. There is a nice lake and golf course near by where I nearly got done in by lightning.

I grew up in small towns so I can appreciate your escape needs. I came to Detroit for the reason countless thousands of others came -- to work in the auto factories. I went away, traveled the world, made plans to live elsewhere but found myself irresistibly drawn back. I tell people, if you don't get Detroit you won't get it and I can't explain it. But if you do get it, you'll completely understand what I mean. It's kind of like looking at art.

**Pcm** · January-26-10, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by Lowell

PCM, my sister was an elementary school teacher in Concord for 25 years. I found it a beautiful place with its millpond and classic 19th Century downtown. It is nice that the Google street view car passed through. I see the Silver Spoon is still there. There is a nice lake and golf course near by where I nearly got done in by lightning.

I grew up in small towns so I can appreciate your escape needs. I came to Detroit for the reason countless thousands of others came -- to work in the auto factories. I went away, traveled the world, made plans to live elsewhere but found myself irresistibly drawn back. I tell people, if you don't get Detroit you won't get it and I can't explain it. But if you do get it, you'll completely understand what I mean. It's kind of like looking at art.

What was her name? Good chance that my family knows her!

**beachboy** · December-20-14, 02:12 AM

Originally Posted by Lowell

I grew up in small towns so I can appreciate your escape needs. I came to Detroit for the reason countless thousands of others came -- to work in the auto factories. I went away, traveled the world, made plans to live elsewhere but found myself irresistibly drawn back. I tell people, if you don't get Detroit you won't get it and I can't explain it. But if you do get it, you'll completely understand what I mean. It's kind of like looking at art.

A huge THANK YOU to Lowell for all the work he's done on DetroitYES, from all of us!!

casscorridor wrote: "Detroit has so much potential to be one of the great cities of the world..."

Detroit was one of the world's great cities when I was a little shaver in the 1950s. Visited the "Paris of the Midwest" many times with my parents [[from one of those little towns in the Thumb), then they moved away in the mid-70s. Also stayed occasionally with my Aunt and Uncle on the East Side. DY filled in what happened between then and recently. Another big Thank You to all DYer's ...

Now I live in a warm climate b/c my health does not permit living in cold Up North [[respiratory mess). I guess I miss the Detroit we knew and loved in the 50s and early 60s.

Ron_saad · January-26-10, 06:33 AM

If this is the Lowell that started the new system, you screwed up all the hall of fame threads.Most of all of those people are not on anymore.

**RaumVogel** · February-04-10, 08:29 PM

Is Paychecks still open in Hamtramick? I moved away in 1987

**Detroit Stylin** · February-04-10, 08:41 PM

I was brought here against my will on 28 April 1972.....but i love it.......

**EastsideAl** · February-04-10, 10:00 PM

My great grandfather came here because the Royal Irish Constabulary made it quite clear that he was not welcome there anymore, and he needed a job.

Toolbox · February-04-10, 10:04 PM

Wife came to work for a foreign auto industry company because the jobs in the state she is from were outsourced overseas.

She has no sympathy for BuyAmerican's bullshit until he recognizes all the other industries lost to overseas. Also, she is very perplex by the arrogant sense of entitlement "auto industry brats" have. In her opinion, work hard, get a paycheck and STFU.

Yes, wife wants to leave Michigan.. though she is the only one of us to have lived in the city.

**sumas** · December-19-14, 04:19 AM

I grew up in the late stages of Detroits golden years. An almost perfect childhood. Watched the decline. Eventually did move out due to school issues but never stopped working with city non profits. Moved back to assist my Mom in EEV, then cared for her as she declined. That was 7 years. I have tremendous respect for the EEV community and we did our part in a small way.

Where I live now is almost magical to me. The community is so close knit, the old homes lovely,the generations that have lived here, the history, the caring and sharing, the oddballs and activists. Its vibrant. Always believed Detroit would see a resurgence but perhaps not in my lifetime but I am seeing it.

Our focus has always been kids so I guess I want them to have what I had. Loads of work need to be done, no near libraries, no active rec facilties so neighbors do amazing things for after school and summer programs.

We used to be crime free but a spate of home invasions last year mobilized the community. Community worked actively with the 7th precinct and those fuckers were caught pronto, drug house opened up and community/police shut it down in two weeks. They tried to reopen shut down intwo days.

I love the syngery of younger people moving in and the awesome dignity of our elders.

I hate winters but love Detroit. Will never leave again.

**Jimaz** · December-19-14, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by sumas

... We used to be crime free but a spate of home invasions last year mobilized the community. Community worked actively with the 7th precinct and those fuckers were caught pronto, drug house opened up and community/police shut it down in two weeks. They tried to reopen shut down in two days....

Okay, that's the way to do it. There's no demotivator greater than futility.

**TheUsualSuspect** · December-23-14, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by sumas

I grew up in the late stages of Detroits golden years. An almost perfect childhood. Watched the decline. Eventually did move out due to school issues but never stopped working with city non profits. Moved back to assist my Mom in EEV, then cared for her as she declined. That was 7 years. I have tremendous respect for the EEV community and we did our part in a small way.

Where I live now is almost magical to me. The community is so close knit, the old homes lovely,the generations that have lived here, the history, the caring and sharing, the oddballs and activists. Its vibrant. Always believed Detroit would see a resurgence but perhaps not in my lifetime but I am seeing it.

Our focus has always been kids so I guess I want them to have what I had. Loads of work need to be done, no near libraries, no active rec facilties so neighbors do amazing things for after school and summer programs.

We used to be crime free but a spate of home invasions last year mobilized the community. Community worked actively with the 7th precinct and those fuckers were caught pronto, drug house opened up and community/police shut it down in two weeks. They tried to reopen shut down intwo days.

I love the syngery of younger people moving in and the awesome dignity of our elders.

I hate winters but love Detroit. Will never leave again.

Sumas: If the house next to you ever goes up for sale, would you let me know?

I don't post on this board often [[I read a LOT though). You have a huge heart and an appreciation for life and what you have received that I find rare and inspiring. You're an amazing lady. I'm certain I would enjoy having you as a neighbor.

I was raised in Detroit and attended Parker elementary for kindergarten. We lived on Littlefield on the west side [[attended Epiphany Catholic School for first grade) then my dad moved the family to Livonia the fall after the '67 riots.

Spent most of my youth in Livonia. Attended Wayne State to earn an engineering degree and moved into a rented house in the Greenfield / Grand River area for a few years after graduation.

Raised my own family in Troy [[gasp), but once the kids are ALL out of the house, the missus and I dream about moving into the Comerica Park / Fox area. We see MANY baseball and hockey games every year [[about 50) and city living appeals to both of us. We'll see how the whole ice arena development goes...there may be a place that fits us there when it is completed.

**sumas** · December-23-14, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by TheUsualSuspect

Sumas: If the house next to you ever goes up for sale, would you let me know?

I don't post on this board often [[I read a LOT though). You have a huge heart and an appreciation for life and what you have received that I find rare and inspiring. You're an amazing lady. I'm certain I would enjoy having you as a neighbor.

I was raised in Detroit and attended Parker elementary for kindergarten. We lived on Littlefield on the west side [[attended Epiphany Catholic School for first grade) then my dad moved the family to Livonia the fall after the '67 riots.

Spent most of my youth in Livonia. Attended Wayne State to earn an engineering degree and moved into a rented house in the Greenfield / Grand River area for a few years after graduation.

Raised my own family in Troy [[gasp), but once the kids are ALL out of the house, the missus and I dream about moving into the Comerica Park / Fox area. We see MANY baseball and hockey games every year [[about 50) and city living appeals to both of us. We'll see how the whole ice arena development goes...there may be a place that fits us there when it is completed.

The house to the south has gone through several hands, as much as i love preserving history, and I do know its history. I think it will go for auction for back taxes. Save your money, I don't think it can be rehabbed for under 100K. I could be wrong. Check it out.

**sumas** · December-23-14, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by TheUsualSuspect

Sumas: If the house next to you ever goes up for sale, would you let me know?

I don't post on this board often [[I read a LOT though). You have a huge heart and an appreciation for life and what you have received that I find rare and inspiring. You're an amazing lady. I'm certain I would enjoy having you as a neighbor.

I was raised in Detroit and attended Parker elementary for kindergarten. We lived on Littlefield on the west side [[attended Epiphany Catholic School for first grade) then my dad moved the family to Livonia the fall after the '67 riots.

Spent most of my youth in Livonia. Attended Wayne State to earn an engineering degree and moved into a rented house in the Greenfield / Grand River area for a few years after graduation.

Raised my own family in Troy [[gasp), but once the kids are ALL out of the house, the missus and I dream about moving into the Comerica Park / Fox area. We see MANY baseball and hockey games every year [[about 50) and city living appeals to both of us. We'll see how the whole ice arena development goes...there may be a place that fits us there when it is completed.

totally off thread but the home north of us is uber fantastic. Mrs C is in poor shape. I adore her and check in every other day. Her son visits daily. Don't ask cause not my business but doubt she will make another year. Side note: Django put railing on her steps to help her climb stairs. Thank you django!

Small world and so many wonderful people. That includes our liitle tent community